Dynamic agent delivery

Abstract

The present technology utilizes agents to monitor and report data from Java virtual machines (JVM) to a controller as part of application performance monitoring. When a JVM is loaded, code defining an interface for agents is loaded as well. A determination may be made as to whether the loaded agent implements the interface defined at the JVM. If the loaded agent does not implement the interface, for example if it is missing one or more methods defined by the interface, the agent class may be modified to define the missing methods. The modification to the agent class may be made after compilation but before the class is loaded into the JVM.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The World Wide Web has expanded to provide web services faster to consumers. Web services may be provided by a web application which uses one or more services to handle a transaction. The applications may be distributed over several machines, making the topology of the machines that provides the service more difficult to track and monitor.[0002]In some application performance monitoring systems, agents are installed onto Java virtual machines (JVM) at start-up. The agents may be used over and over for a running system, but may become outdated over time. In particular, an interface definition loaded by a JVM for interfacing with an agent may change over time. As a result, older agents become obsolete and no longer function.[0003]There is a need in the art for managing agents for monitoring systems that involve changing interfaces.SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION[0004]The present technology utilizes agents to monitor and report data from Java virtual m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a technology for monitoring and reporting data from Java virtual machines (JVMs) to a controller for application performance monitoring. It uses agents to determine if the loaded agents implement the interface defined at the JVM and modifies the agent class to comply with the interface definition if needed. This modification may be done by a class loader after translation but before the class is loaded into the JVM. The technical effect is improved performance monitoring and more efficient management of business transactions.

Problems solved by technology

The applications may be distributed over several machines, making the topology of the machines that provides the service more difficult to track and monitor.

The agents may be used over and over for a running system, but may become outdated over time.

As a result, older agents become obsolete and no longer function.

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